Child Swing Drive Mechanism for Adjustable Frequency Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional child swing apparatuses have fixed swinging frequencies and motion paths, making it difficult to adjust the frequency and requiring high torque for slower motions, limiting their versatility and adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A child swing apparatus design featuring a support frame, swing arm, seat support, and a drive mechanism with a wheel that applies torque at a lower location, allowing for adjustable swinging frequencies and a range of motion paths using a motor with smaller torque output, including variants with different drive mechanisms and motion paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drive mechanism is located at the pivot point (high location) as in conventional swing apparatuses, then the system can store potential energy and require only soft pushes to maintain amplitude, but the swinging frequency is locked as a function of the swing arm length and cannot be easily adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a driven part (such as a gear or pulley) as an intermediary element between the motor and the swing arm. This intermediary allows the motor to apply torque at a location other than the pivot point, enabling frequency adjustment while maintaining the energy storage benefit of the conventional design. The driven part translates motor rotation into the desired swing motion with adjustable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the motor from the traditional pivot point location to a different position (such as along the swing arm or at a lower height). This spatial repositioning allows the drive mechanism to apply torque in a different dimension, enabling frequency control through variable torque application points while maintaining structural integrity.
2Speed
If slower swinging frequency is needed along the same motion path, then the swing can provide gentler motion, but it becomes extremely difficult to exert sufficient driving torque to overcome gravitational force in the pendulum motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable torque application through a driven part that can be positioned at different locations or configured with different mechanical advantage ratios. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to apply higher torque at slower speeds when needed, overcoming gravity more effectively, while still achieving slower swinging frequencies through controlled torque timing and magnitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of torque application by using a motor with adjustable speed and torque output, combined with a driven part that can modify the torque transmission characteristics. This allows the system to deliver high torque at low speeds when overcoming gravity, while maintaining the ability to operate at slower frequencies with reduced torque requirements.
3Device complexity
If the drive mechanism applies torque at the pivot point, then the system structure is simpler, but the motor must have high torque output capability to overcome gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The driven part acts as a mechanical intermediary that amplifies or modifies the motor's torque output. By positioning the driven part at strategic locations or configuring it with appropriate gear ratios, the system can reduce the peak torque requirements of the motor while maintaining effective swing drive capability, thus allowing the use of lower-power motors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a broader range of swinging frequencies and motion paths while operating with a smaller torque motor, providing adjustable and programmable motion options, including 'rainbow', 'swing', 'glide', and 'orbital' motions, enhancing user control and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the drive mechanism has a driving end operable to apply a torque on the driven part to cause swing motion of the seat support
Implementation Method 2
A child swing apparatus typically travels at a natural frequency in a pendulum motion
Implementation Method 3
overcoming the gravitational force acting in the pendulum motion
Data Source
AI summary
A child swing apparatus can include a support frame, a seat support for receiving the placement of a child, a swing arm assembled with the support frame about a pivot axis, the swing arm holding the seat support, a driven part arranged radially spaced apart from the pivot axis and movable with the seat support and the swing arm relative to the support frame, and a drive mechanism assembled with the support frame, wherein the drive mechanism has a driving end operable to apply a torque on the driven part to cause swing motion of the seat support.